Rockglaciers: Indicators for the Present and Former Geoecology in High Mountain Environments (Springer Series in Physical Environment (16))

Rockglaciers are the visible expression of the creep of mountain permafrost. They are indicative of special geo-ecologic and geomorphic conditions regarding thermal situation, talus production, hydrology, and hazards in high mountain environments of all major mountain systems on earth. As relict features, they are of great paleoclimatic value. This book presents a systematic treatment of this landform in its environmental context. Front Matter....Pages I-XIV Introduction....Pages 1-3 Definitions....Pages 4-13 Historical Development of the Term Rockglacier....Pages 14-17 Rockglaciers: Description and Morphometry....Pages 18-30 Rockglacier Taxonomy....Pages 31-34 Rockglacier Distribution....Pages 35-66 Rockglacier Material, Surficial Fabric and Internal Structure....Pages 67-120 Rockglacier Movement, Velocity, and Rheology....Pages 121-183 Rockglacier Genesis and the Relation to Similar-Looking Landforms....Pages 184-224 The Age of Rockglaciers....Pages 225-230 Rockglaciers and the High Mountain Environment....Pages 231-268 Summary and Outstanding Problems....Pages 269-271 References....Pages 273-319 Back Matter....Pages 321-331 Rockglaciers are indicative of special geo-ecologic and geomorphic conditions regarding thermal situation, talus production, hydrology and hazards in high mountain environments. This work presents a treatment of this landform, placing it in its environmental context.